Portable refinery



PORTABLE REFINERY www.

Filed June l.

Vl! 'O'/ E L..

PORTABLE REFI NERY July 20 1926. 1,593,167 T. W. SOWELL PORTABLE REFI NERY Filed June 5, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 glmllgslii 1M Igel .my eo, ieee.

with

3 TEIMLALS lSW'IK'LTIL. OE DALLAS, 'I COMPANY, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, A CHYFQi/ATIE miniem@ nniminerir.

Th', inventiony reletesftofnew and useful improv-einentrs.in portable refineries.

The vobject of the invention is to provide .n.iudevoil refinery Composed of e. plurality of unite, each of .which iei'nonnted on e railn Way mirror other portable support, whereby ii', may he transported ,from one 'ield to an other. and the units connected so es to set up e Crude oil reiinery in neompziratively short time. Anadvantnge of siioh an arrangement in that after the initini expense `4of construction, n @rude oil refinery may be eet-*up -A-inqsi.Y eldjwithin-a few days at e Voomparzitively lem-fill expense. and when Suid ltielcl becomes lniiifirofitiible for the operation of the'` refinery-,y the letter. may "be moved to' another .field pense. i @My invention contemplates making port- :it e comparatively Small ex- "if able only thosepmis and units,A which it would he profitable to transport sind :1haniioningthosepars and units which' could he replaced et finest lessthen the *cost oi removing.

Anothen object o'theinvention is to ineke cerijziiin.upstnndingr` parte vreatiiiy removable eo as Vto.permit:the unite to pass 'under hrifin'es vendl. Ithe like and to reduce topheavinesss,'so that the cars will not overturn on Shorteurves.- e

A.- further object is to provide portable refinery units ,which will he complete in "hemselves and, comprise the necessary elenientswio'function effectively and economieniiy` either separately oi' vonjointly.

fuit.- {ohvionethnt in making the units portiihlefcertnin movi-.sions must he inode andi-itis 'not claimed ast-he invention, the mere.pontnhility of thennits, hut rather the ineens whereby the unite rute inode portable. However an invention ofthis character 'perinitefof considerable variation in Structure and While it is notintentied 'to limit the infv'eiiiioii to the hereinafter.ieeiteii details of' eonstriifction, there are certain ii'eeiuree, which here heen` found to 'forninete in a portable 'renner'. Among these. 'features are; 'adequate'hunting ani'isteying, sind enit abile heatiineulntion.

" A gioni-struction"ciesigfnedto carry out 'the invention will hefhereinii'itery dee-eriiiefi toggethtrwth other featuresi oi the invention( "'lflhe invention wili be more readily unden- .etooii from e. 'reufiing of the 'fioilowing' speeiunit.

lfig. i 1e n pien View or me somo?,

g 8in e tiensreree sheii. stiii nnii,

lig. 9 is en enti eie'vnizion oi the eiieli unie.

Fig. l0 is stili iinitl il is n. partiel pien 'View o een ond unit showing the expansion brein? 'l2 "s ietni oithe Sois-ew the dome, i.; e.. detail oi the smoke steek ifs-finit? Fig. llie; deeii the 'tower jo e ii:

sectional View oif 'the en. enti eieveton of@ the Fini. is i egrfinimtioai pien Showing: n the menne of Connecting eno liigre. it. l?, miriai'e ireminetie derni-ions showi the pipe con fiction-.e tween the imite. i

in the, firewings i minerais: 2G Cleeigrnnte resiaeeiiive pipe or Stili @E iinit mii n nheil stili i? to inoimtupon raiiwej' my he mounted on e poe. Each fiat enr is; o y true'i'in., im in order 'to properly in provitle n menne oit ntteohinei'ii, 'fi r the eer in nii-wie np of piatte E ii preferably of steel e" i impoeed eiefients of tf *,i 4. U reiiiiiijr hol i. Ap; on. enti. oi. the pino 2 "m ene stiii 23 oi ein] mproifet?. o

, Wine 'tenis et ln ortier tempereifme of the sti'ii 7i, it, riee iefi exiiedi or hoi-,toni

which latter' are lirmly secured to the floor folate i As is shown in Figs. 4, 6, 9 and the condenser box is fastened in a cradle 'termed by the columns 26 and cross beams 23, the latter extending from the columns i on one side to those on the other side and supporting the bottom of the box. The columns extend up the sides of the box and heavy angle bars 27 fastened on top of said columns are secured longitudinally to the box.

rlhe condenser box with its coils will be extremely heavy and therefore requires adequate bracing to prevent displacement. long the inside of each row of columns is hastened an upright steel plate 29 extending from thefloor plate 22 to the tops of the columns. These brace or side plates are firmly secured to the columns and the floor plate and the cross beams 28 have their ends secured to said side plates and are supported on angle brackets 28. As an additional staying means inclined braces 30 extend down from the beams to plates as is best shown in Figs. 9 and l0.

yThe side plates with the bottom of the condenser 'box constitute a housing'under said box. The ends of the housing are leftopen and port holes 31 with suitable closures are provided in the side plates. In order -to properly support the coils in the condenser box and prevent shifting of the same due to impact, cross bars 32 are arranged in the box at each end of each coil as is shown in Figs. 4 and 6. Also as a supporting andbra'cing means, wood or other blocks 33 are disposed vertically and under the coils and shaped to lit the same. Wood orl equivalent material is used to provide for tits' expansion and contraction of the coils.

Within the housing under the condenserr box l mount a pump 34 and an auxiliary pump 35, the latter to be used in emergencies. A suction pipe 36 through which the crude-oil is admitted'extends from the side of the' central portion of the car and is connected `with both of the pumps 34 and 35. wardly 'from the pump 34 and adischarge pipe 37 leads forwardly from the pump 35 and each of these pipes includes a cut oil? valve 38. The pipes just described are connected in a vertical pipe 39 which ex.- tends vertically and has its upper end connected. with a threaway joint 40. From this joint a pipe 4l extends toward the still the top of the tower into a A discharge pipe 37 leads for- P 23 and has its opposite end connected with said still by an angular pipe connectlon 42. A valve 36 is connected in the pipe 36 and alined with the valves 38 at the inner end of the box 24 so asto be easily accessible from the space between the still and the box.

The oil is pumped through the pipes 36,' 37, 39, 41, and 42 into the still 23 where it is 4subjected to heat in the usual manner and is dischargedy from said still through a' pipe 43 which is connected with a downwardly extending pipe 44 by means of a T 44. The pipe 44 is connected at its lower end with a T 45 from which a pipe 46 extends into`an expansion drum 47, the latter being mounted and securely fastened on the `floor plate between the still and the box. The pipe 46 is turned upwardly in thedrum and discharges the heated oil on to a baffle plate 48 within said drum whereby the vapors and hot gases are given an opportunity to expand, while the heavier properties collect at the bottom of the drum.

A vapor discharge pipe 49 leads laterally from the top 'of the drum and is supported on a standard 50 resting on top of the drum. This pipe is connected by means of suitable elbows with a pipe 51 which extends over the condenser box and is connected by means of elbows and couplings with a pipe 52 which is directed inwardly and connected to the lower portion of a tower 53. The pipe 52 and elbows connected thereto are supported. by a standard 54 mounted on top of the condenser box. The tower is of the usual construction having a dished bottom 55 from which a drain pipe 56 extends. The light vapors rise to the top of the tower, while the heavy properties settle toward the bottom, due to the cooling action. The light vapors pass from depending pipe 57 which is connected at its lower end with a p1pe 58 which in turn has connection with a manifold`59 extending across the inner end of the condenser box. The pipes 57 and 58 are supported by a standard 60 mounted on `top of the condenser box. ln order that the tower may be removed 1t1s provided at its lower end with a flanged ring 61 securely fastened thereto. The ring 1s secured to the top of the condenser box bystud bolts 62Vpassing therethrough, said bolts being suitably fastened to the top of said box. In order to sustain the load im- 1n Fig. 14, are placed transversely within the condenser' box immediately under 'the top thereof. The pipes 49, 51. 52, 56, 57, and 58 are arranged so as to be disconnected and readily removed, to ther with the standards 50,' 54 and 60. y this arrangement all super-structure above the condenser box and drum may be removed. It would osed by the tower I-beams 63, asis shownA ion dll

Messer er loe possible co remove the manifold 59 hui; this will not he necessary as .the height will he reduced suliciently Without such removal.

i ln order zo promoiecornbustion the still .is provided with e smoke stack 6d. ln order that the vstach iney be 'removed c channel ring is counrersu'nlr .in the 'top cil `the furnace and the lower end or' lthe stack is telescoped thereinto as is shown in Fig. 13.

fi flanged ring 66 is 'secured around the lower portion `of the stack und yfastened on the ring 65 by stud bolts 67; Suitable guys 68 eziend lo the ear in any` approved`v manner. The stuck maybe removed hyrlisconnectingthe holf 67- and the guys 68. Sulicienl: rooin is 'pro-vided in' the housing yunder the condenser hox for storing the tower, stack and pipes vhich `are removed :for transportation. It is cstimal'ed ,thatvthe superstruclure kcan he removed vundvreplaced'in comparatively Sher-filme. .Itis poinied'ouidthut it might loe possihleto construct @refinery unil: Withucture"whichWouldhave to nd therefore the invention is notA fio l'he limited no nthe .suine.

l'The lighr products conveyed lio ehe manifold 59 are taken into'ihe coilslnnd condensed. Theflrliqiiiid is discharged from the coils through e pipe 69. From the lirst unilgosoline may he obtained from the condenser coils. Two orinore tuhefsill units may he "used in a piani; andI the rrrangemenl on jhe second Y'unit vvill slightly different from "the "firs'funi However it will he neces" ry to' molinoelhiidfpuinp 7l) on No. v"This pump isiconnected with the l uni louer portion Loi theefrpension drum by a pipe 7l. The pipe 56 is connected into pipe 7l and includes aV val\ic"'56'. By this arrsingiiefmentlhe heavier producir; from the tower :nav he thus run beck info the eX- pension drum or4 ll'ieyy may be carried through ihc pump 'TOI l A' pipe 72 leads from rhe` pump TO 'ifo `the seeondunit vund includes e' valve 72 nlined'vvih ehe valves 36 and 38. rlfhe conric lions of the second uni are shown in Fig. ll. The pipe 72 is connecle'd ivith'n "l" 'F3 which is un liuc-hed to he end of'a pipe 7d which corresponds io 'llie pipe 41 und which in turn is conneerefl willi an enculer pipe Z5 lending into the still Q3 of the second unit. A l 76 is connected in l'hepine L-l end has conneclionQ wi'rh n, similar im '7? in the pipe `7'4- hv ineensci ey hvpas's pipe 78 'es is indicszed inliff. "l5". course ehe units must he placed parallel io melee 'these connecliions. liv his arrangement it .possible to hynnss the vapors heels and :liorih hrough 4he pipe "T8 from one ruhe sill iii che other or to cui. oil the lrvpessnge hjfnieens of zi vulve To" us is shown in Fig. ld,

The oil pmnped through fthe pipe 72 from ythe `upper: portion of chev steek and yhavev their loiverzends fastened 'ters the still of' he second unit and passes `zherefrorn through the pipe d3, The second unit is otherwise constructed like the first 1uni except thai the pumps 34 endv 35 and vtheir pipe connections are omitted. l'ero. sene may be discharged frorn'the 'condenser nox of the second unit, bul: it is to beunderi stood that the units may he operated to' pio duce various oils Within'liheir capacities.

The heavier products from the drum of the second yunit are pumped thruthe pine 72 thereof which latter is connected with a pipe 79 of a third unit which is known as s. shell still unit. The pipe 79` includes e valve 79 'and enters a. lshell slaill 80. The

still 80 is su poried by means of lugs 81 In order to area and cepeci-y which. isi-he equivalent or' thatof, a stilll of much greater vdiuineifer. The fire hor: and eniire underst'ructure 1s also provided with `fhe heat insulation layer 23.

tain .suliicientv room` between .the bottom of the stillvand the insulation .le-yer to allow for the proper height 'of combustion chemher ibisnecesser; lio provide :idoine 84 on top of vthe still al: the center tlhereof. into which the light` vapors may rise directly from the liquidv in the still. ln order that the dome may he removed il is provided with e screw threaded nipple liliwhich asi is 'shown in Fig. l2 screws into e flanged couplingir 86 4fastened on the still. The dome may he reudilvremoved for trensporetion.

' vapor pipe 87 extends from che iii r portion ol lheV dome and is connected 'v in an elbow joint 88 which inl urn is connected Witliya pipe 89. The pipe 87 rests r11p-m e siendurd 90 removably mounted on the still. The pipe 89 like the pipe 5l is connected to lille pipe .52 of the tower 53 of l'he condenser ineens which Is the same in this unit asiin the orhers..` A pipe 91 leads ronilhe `end of the sr-ill opposite che pipe 79 and includes a valve 91. This pipe has connection th On accom-nocif limited headfroomlor; a huiltup unit es required end-'yet to ineinn. four-Way joint 92 connected in thepipeif). as.

The vapors passing out thru the pipe Qlrnziy lie-'bypassed heck in'ojnhe stilllhy Way 'of the pipe 75l and re-ru'n iig' desired.

As shi/.vn in Wigs. l

:ind 2 the units neej) ,he conneced in frein 'for transportation..

lo ihis Trein is shown., es tvpieal, en engine and render 93,- zi couple of ru'ondoie cars 94 ior transporting hunks and pipes, s fecola cer 95, a shell still unit 21, two tube stills 20 and a private car 96. When train is moved over a level country which is free from brid es and overhead obstructions it may be possi le to leave the super-structure in position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but under most conditions it will be necessary to remove the same and store the parts in the housings formed unde the condenser boxes. It will be noted tliat elbow joints are used in many of the pipe connections and this is done to care for expansion.

In order to set up the refinery it would of cour-se be necessary to provide spur tracks .as is shown in Fig. 3 where the three units are disposed on parallel spurs. A steam boiler 97 may be purchased in the field and connected with a steam pipe 98 having connection with the voil burners usually employed in the stills. which are also connected with a fuel pipe 99 extending -from a fuel oil tank 100 which may be transported in pipes such as 72, 78, 101, and 103 are cut one of the cars 94.

The pipes 69 from the condenser coils connect with pipes 101 leading into a test house 102 which may either be erected in the field or transported. From the house pipe lines 103 lead to the storage tanks 104 which may be set upon arrival at the -iield. I have shown tank cars 105 containing crude oil to be refined and connected with a pipe' 106 which is connected with the pipe 36 in a suitable manner and pumped into the first tubeI still.

Itis estimated that within three or four days after arrival at the field the plant will be ready for operation. placing of all super-structure, erection of tanks, heating plant and the connection of all pipes and pipe lines. All connecting to proper lengths so that pipe cutting and threading will not be necessary in the field.

Referringr` to Figs. 15 to 18 inclusive it will be seen that the vapors and oils may be by-passed between the stills and re-run in many different ways. Fig. 16 illustrates the by-pass pipe 78 which connects the tube stills of units 1 and 2, whereby vapors may be bypassed direct from tube still to the other. In Fig. 17 -I have `shown a by-pass line 107 which is connected -with the three-way joint 110 of No. 1 unit. This line is connected with a four-way ioint 108 in the pipe 74 of No. 2 unit and the joint 92 of No. 3 unit. By this line vapors may be passed from one unit to the other as desired. In Fig. 18 I have a pipe line 109 extending from the four-way joint 40 in the pipe 39 to a joint 111 in the pipe 71 of the No. 2 unit, whereby crude oil may be pumped to the pipe 79 of No. 3 still.

In the ordinary running of the plant it is proposed to take ofi' gasoline from the tube still of No. l unit, kerosene from No. {2r/unit 'Ihis includes thc and gas oil from unit No. 3; however the stills may be run by those skilled in the art to the best' advantage and such oils vtaken od as the plant is capable of producing. The plant may consist of more units or less units and may be used in connection with a heat exchanger or cracking unit, neither` of which latter are shown. The pipe connections permit of great variation and the connection of the parts will largely depend upon the particular kind of crude oil to be refined and the products sought to be obtained.

What I claim, is:

1. In a portable refinery, the combination of a plurality of independently ortable units adapted to be assembled in a longitudinal series for transportation and to be disposed side by side for cooperative use, each unit comprising a connected oil still, cooling tower, and a condenser spaced from the still, 4and detachable pipe connections extending from one unit to the other, wheref the products may be successively' passed to the units.

2. In a portable refinery, the combination of a plurality of independently portable units adapted to be assembled in a longitudinal series for transportation and to be disposed parullel for cooperative use, each'unit comprising a still and condenser in connected relation, and detachable pipe connections for uniting the units in parallel order and for by-passing the products not entering the condenser to a successive still unity 3. In a portable refinery, the combination of a plurality of independently pot/table units adapted to be assembled in a longitudinal series for transportation and to be disposed parallel for cooperative use', each unit comprising a still and condenser in connected relation. detachable pipe connections for uniting the units in parallel order. and separate pumps upon one of the units for supplyingliquid thereto and for pumping liquid through said connections from one unit to another.

4. In a portable refinery, the combination of a ,plurality of independently port-able units adapted to be assembled in a longitudinal series fon/transportation and to be disposed parallel for cooperative use, said units comprising a first unit including a still,

an expansion drum connected thereto. a tower connected to the drum, and a condenser connectedwith the tower; and a sec`-- ond unit including a still, atower connected thereto, and a condenser connected withthe tower; and detachable pipe connectionsfor feeding from the tower of the first unit'to the still of the second unit.

5. A portable refinery unit including a mobile support, a still mounted at one end thereof. a smoke stack having a removable connection with said still, a condenser mounted upon the other end of the support,

Memor e cooling tower having e removable eonneem tion with the upper portion ol' seid eondenser, removable pipe conneceone between elle stili and the tower, and removeble pipe eonneetone between the tower and Condenser.

G. A portable renery unit including e .mobile support, :l still mounted at one end zhoreolz, e smolre siecle having e, removable connection with selfl still, a, condenser mount eel. upon ille oher end of one support, e cooling tower having @removable connection with the upper por'crm. of seid condenser, removable pige conneetooe between the still :mfl lle tower, removable pipe connections lsemwen the tower and, condenser, and u. Snppomlng housing beneath Said. condenser compr" or a, frame having sido Walls and open et one end Lo receive seid removable elementen "Ik fle portable refinery unit including a mobile support, a still mounted at one end thereof, @smoke sraok having e removable telesoopng connecuon with Sold still, a con- Adenser mounted upon the other end of said support, e cooling ower having e securing 'fie-.nge removably mounted upon lthe top of the condenser, removable pipe'eonnectione between the still and tower, and removable pipe connections between the tower and con denser.

8. llo e portable refinery unit, a. Wheeled Support, e still mountecl thereon, a, condenser box upon the support, coils Within said box, means traversing 'rhe box al; the ends of `the coils to prevent longfiiudnel shifting thereof, and transverse supports intermediate the coils Vto permit expansion and contraction thereof.

in testimony whereof l my signature. 

